3 Non-Negotiables for a Good Morning

Since having Kaiden, our morning routine has changed 180 degrees, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!  But then again, I’m a morning person through and through.

Pre-baby, we could be up and out the door in under an hour.  Now, I need at least 2-2.5 hours to go through the motions and get everything in order.  I know that sounds like a lot of time, and it is, but I find the more time we give ourselves, the better off we are.  I hate rushing in the morning because it sets a frantic tone for the day.

Other than giving ourselves [lots] of time, there are three other things I like to include in our morning routine to ensure it’s a good one.  These are my non-negotiables, as they all bring a sense of love, fun, and calm at the very start of our day.

One – Vishnu likes to say that I’m the rock of our family.  While this sentiment comes with its own kind of pressure, I do tend to believe a lot of a family’s overall well-being rests on the mom’s shoulders.  When mama is ok, everyone else feels safe and generally ok.

With that being said, my first non-negotiable of the day is all about me.  As soon as I wake up, I like to take a few deep breaths, connect with God (the Universe, higher being, etc.), and say thanks for another day.  I also like to repeat positive affirmations as I go through the early morning motions – brushing my teeth, prepping Kaiden’s bottles, etc.

Two – Those who know me in real life know I’m not a singer in any sense of the word.  Even my humming is off tune.  Ah well, you can’t do it all!

Being an awful singer hasn’t stopped me from belting out tunes as a new mama.  Ever since Kaiden was a tiny little guy, I’ve been singing everything from nursery rhymes/songs to old school R&B to Disney songs.  Believe it or not, he loves it!  He’ll go from whining and crying to silent and smiley when I sing his favorite songs.  Not looking forward to the day he tells me to stop!

Regardless of what’s happening in the morning, singing is key.  We usually start with something like The Wheels on the Bus and move on to made up on the spot songs about changing K’s diaper, putting his clothes on, going to school, etc.

Three – #1 is about me, #2 is about K, and #3 is about Vishnu (and me!).

My third non-negotiable is to part ways with Vishnu every morning with a kiss.  Just a quick peck!  This action hasn’t had any earth shattering results, but it makes me and I venture to say Vishnu feel more connected!

Everything changes after baby, even your marriage.  Vishnu and I fall prey to deprioritizing our relationship more often than we’d like to admit.  We’re working on it though, and our daily peck is a small reminder that our bond matters too.

Your turn – what are your non-negotiables for a good morning?